The Official Moab, Utah 2008 Calendar of Events
- Free Event Listing - If you have a Moab area event that you would like to add to this list, send an e-mail to info@discovermoab.com or call Robert Riberia at the Moab Area Travel Council at (800) 635-6622 or (435) 259-6281.
- Event Grants - The Moab Area Travel Council will provide grant assistance to organizations to aid in the development of tourism. The purpose of the grant is to increase the level of tourism in Grand County through new or fledgling events that could become annual events. For guidelines and an application, visit www.grandcountyutah.net/travel.htm.
| Ongoing Activities |
Moab Information Center
2008 Lecture Series Informative series of lectures relating to southeastern Utah. Usually on Thursday evenings at the Moab Information Center, although some dates may vary. - Main & Center Street in Moab - Free - 7:00pm. For more information visit www.cnha.org/mic.cfm |
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| Weekly Road Rides Saturday & Sunday - Every Saturday there is a moderate to fast paced 40-50 mile group ride on Potash Road (Scenic Byway 279). Meet at Swanny City Park (400 North 100 West). Everyone is welcome! Every Sunday there is a Women's Road Ride on Potash Road (Scenic Byway 279). Beginner to Moderate, although all levels are encouraged to attend this 15-32 mile ride. Meet at the the turn-off of Scenic Byway 279. For ride times call 435-259-7882. |
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| Stargazing The national parks and monuments of southeastern Utah have long been popular destinations for travelers. In addition to their stunning landscapes and rich cultural history, these areas share another resource: some of the darkest skies remaining in the contiguous 48 United States. A moonless night spent under the stars in southeastern Utah will amaze visitors with the volume of stars visible to the naked eye. |
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| January | 2008 | |
| 1 | New Years Day | |
| 21 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | |
| 26 | Sustainable Living Education Series: Your Garden - The average meal travels 1500 miles from farm to plate. That’s a lot of fuel used to bring you your dinner. Help build community food security and decrease your carbon footprint by growing a small garden this year. The Youth Garden Project and Canyonlands Sustainable Solutions will be offering a series of classes designed to help the community to get going and start growing. The first class will be held Saturday, January 26th at 10am with a delicious lunch of locally grown foods to follow. Watch the film “Fridays on the Farm”, learn the nuts and bolts of seed starting, and get a detailed plan for a one-person four season garden in just 100sq. feet. Cost is $5 to help cover lunch, please RSVP at 435-259-2326. Open to all levels of gardeners. | |
| 26-27 | Racing in the Rockies Barrel Racing at the Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191). For more information visit www.racingintherockies.com or call 970-390-3712. |
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| February | 2008 | |
| 9 | Puttin' on the Ritz A fundraiser for Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center. (Seekhaven is a non-profit organization addressing the issues of domestic violence and homelessness within Grand and San Juan Counties.) Valentine Party - Live Music - Silent Auction. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $45 at the door. Tickets are available in Moab at Zions Bank, Norm's Barbershop, Arches Book Co, or at Seekhaven. Social @ 5:30pm & dinner @ 7:00pm. For more information call 435-259-2229. |
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| 15-18 | Western Stars Cowboy
Poetry Gathering Michael Martin
Murphey President's Day weekend western celebration with cowboy poets, music, barrel racing, chili cookin' contests, square dancing, western art, vendors, workshops and lectures. For more information call 435-259-6272 or email brogers@moabcity.org. Moab Arts and Recreation Center (100 North 111 East) |
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| 16-17 | Racing in the Rockies Barrel Racing at the Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191). For more information visit www.racingintherockies.com or call 970-390-3712. |
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| 18 | President's Day | |
| 22-23 | 23rd USTC Team Roping Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191). For more information call 435-259-6226. |
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| 29 | Chocolate Lovers Swing - Don’t miss the chance to experience leap year - with chocolate! The Youth Garden Project's 12th Annual Chocolate Lovers Fling and Fundraiser, 6:00pm at the Grand Center (182 North 500 West). Get into the swing of things and leap on over to the Grand Center for a Roaring 20’s inspired Chocolate Affair. There won’t be anything like it, at least for the next four years! For more information, to volunteer, or to register your dessert, call Jen or Brenda at the Youth Garden Project at 435-259-2326 or visit www.youthgardenproject.org. | |
| March | 2008 | |
| 1-4 | Annual Skinny Tire
Festival The four rides of the Skinny Tire Festival highlight Moab’s different road riding opportunities. The first two days follow the mighty Colorado River corridor, both up-stream and downstream. The next two days leave the valley and climb the beautiful canyon roads into red rock country to Dead Horse Point and through Arches National Park. Channel the energy of riding through this grandeur of Moab’s canyon country by putting purpose behind your cycling. This event raises funds for The Lance Armstrong Foundation whose purpose is to eliminate cancer from the planet. For more information contact 435-259-2698 or visit www.SkinnyTireEvents.com. |
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| 8 | Obsessions of an Ex-Vandal - Drawings and an installation by Bruce Boyd. Artist's reception 6-9pm March 8th, show runs through April. Moab Art Works, 35 North Main Street. For more information call (435) 259 3010 or visit www.moabartworks.com. | |
| 8 | 33rd Annual Canyonlands
Half Marathon and Five Mile Run Full details and registration information is available at www.moabhalfmarathon.org or call 435-259-4525. |
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| 10 | Banff Mountain Film
Festival The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour features the year's best films on mountain adventure and culture. Monday, March 10th @ 7:00 p.m. in the Grand County High School Auditorium (608 South 400 East). For more information call 435-259-4859 or email dderley@frontiernet.net. |
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| 15-23 | Annual Jeep Safari Easter Jeep Safari consists of trail rides, mostly day long trips, departing from Moab throughout this week long event. The official event is hosted by the Red Rock 4-Wheelers Inc. the local four wheel drive club of Moab. Participants provide their own four wheel drive vehicle, take care of their own food and non-alcoholic beverages for the trip. The club officially runs approximately 9 different trails every day, with "Big Saturday" culminating in the largest ever single trail ride departure happening - around 30 groups line up in down town Moab to head off in every direction for 30 different trails! Pre-registration for this event is recommended, although limited registration at the event may be possible. Visit the club's website for registration information or mail a request to Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc., PO Box 1471, Moab, UT 84532-1471. www.rr4w.com Note: This massive week-long event is one of the largest events of the year for Moab. Please make your camping/lodging reservations as early as possible! |
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| 21 | Skyjacker Pro RockCross Nationals - Imagine, several rigs on a starting line of dirt, the green flag drops and off they go. Tire bumping, block passing, rock smackin, wheel standing, roost action that is exciting for the whole family. Who wins??? Whoever crosses the finish line first. Rockcross isn’t about racing a clock, its about beating living, breathing competition that wants nothing more than to beat you. It is racing at its best! Think you might want to give it a try but don’t have the rig? Think again. We have Rockcross courses that can be competed on in almost any slightly modified four wheel drive vehicle. Check out the classes often as new ones are being constantly developed. Located at area BFE, south of Moab. Visit areabfe.com or email info@uroc.com for more information. | |
| 22 | Pure Adrenaline Pro AM - Check out pro's from around the country as they dig in for cash and bragging rights to the Pure Adrenaline Pro Cup. Have a trick rig and want to try competing? This is the perfect spot. Compete in the Pure Adrenaline Armature Cup and race against rigs like yours on a course built for you. You wont want to miss this day of pure fun, pure action, pure excitement and adrenaline. Located at Area BFE, just South of Moab. Visit areabfe.com or e or email ranch@uroc.com for more information. | |
| 22 | Xtreme XRRA Rock Racing - Come check out the action as the nation's top rock racers go all out in this Western Division Season Opener. Red Rock Raceway - Take Highway 191 four miles south from Spanish Trail Arena to Old Airport Road, turn left and follow the signs. Pre-purchase your tickets at the Moab 4x4 Outpost for $10.00 $15.00 at the gate. For more information visit www.rockrace.com. | |
| 23 | Easter | |
| 28-30 | Moab Muni Fest 2008 “MUni” is short for Mountain Unicycling. “Fest” is short for Festival, and that’s what the Moab MUni Fest is all about. It’s a time to break the winter cabin fever and get out to the pleasant March climes of Moab; to ride and socialize with other MUni riders in the scenic red rock wonderland of Southern Utah. It’s a place to test and expand your limits, hone your skills, and learn new techniques from other riders. The entire Slickrock area is red sandstone rock, which means you’ll have traction to climb and descend angles you never thought possible. The landscape is a trials course. For non-trials riders it’s just as much fun figuring out how to avoid the obstacles. In either case there’s plenty to keep you entertained. It’s a great place to make and renew friendships within the com-MUni-ty of riders. For more info visit: www.moabmunifest.com |
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| 29-30 | Racing in the Rockies Barrel Racing at the Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191). For more information visit www.racingintherockies.com or call 970-390-3712. |
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| April | 2008 | |
| 5 | AdventureXstreme Series - Moab Adventure
Race Series 12 Hour Moab AXS Adventure. For information call 970-259-7771, email events@gravityplay.com, or visit www.gravityplay.com. |
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| 10-13 | Nature Photography for Women Women’s only workshop geared toward exploring the beautiful Moab area. The workshop is timed to take advantage of the desert wildflower season. Fee charged and advanced registration required. For more information visit www.bretedge.com. |
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| 19 | Speed Week - Photographs from the Bonneville Salt Flats by Richard Morgenstein. Artist's reception 6-9pm April 19th, show runs through May. Moab Art Works, 35 North Main Street. For more information call (435) 259 3010 or visit www.moabartworks.com. | |
| 25-27 | Annual April Action
Car Show Classic Car Show - Hot Rods, Trucks, Customs, Street Rods, Muscle Cars, Classics, and much more! Visit www.moab-utah.com/aprilaction/ for more information. Note: This event is one of the largest events of the year for Moab. Please make your camping/lodging reservations as early as possible! For more information call 435-259-5858. |
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| May | 2008 | |
| 1-4 | Moab Photography Symposium A 4 day gathering of photography lovers who come to learn new technical and artistic skills through discussion and workshops. For more information visit www.moabphotosym.com or contact Bruce Hucko at 435-259-4176 or bhucko@frontiernet.net. |
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| 3-5 | Festival of Cultures Diversity
Celebration A celebration of the diversity of cultures in the Four Corners area. Performances by the Ballet Foklorico, Taiko Drummers, and Desert Veils. Traditional food booths will be serving up Mexican food, Navajo Tacos and Korean delicacies. Exhibit booths will include Japanese calligraphy, origami, henna tattoos, and cultural information. Additional activities include speakers, films, handcrafts from around the world, a children's tent offering storytelling and crafts, and a parade on Saturday. For more information click here or call 435-260-8257. |
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| 10 | Animal Transformations - New paintings from Alex Burbidge (aka ALEA). Artist's reception 6-9pm May 10th, show runs through June. Moab Art Works, 35 North Main Street. For more information call (435) 259-3010 or visit www.moabartworks.com. | |
| 14-17 | 2nd Annual Moab UTV Rally - Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191) - Free demo rides from Yamaha, Arctic Cat, Kawasaki, Ranch Rider USA, Ruesch Motor Company and Tomcar. Organized/guided trail rides on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Friday Special Events (starting @ 10am) include a Vendor Expo, Tug of War, Balance Beam, Pole Bending, and Barrel Racing. Catered dinner Friday Night @ 7pm for registered participants. For more information visit www.utvrally.com or email Chris@utvrally.com. | |
| 16 | MARC Art Auction 7:00 p.m @ Moab Arts and Recreation Center (100 North 111 East) |
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| 16-17 | Movie Under the Stars - John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn and Rio Grande - Swanny City Park (400 North 100 West). Bring your own snacks and blankets, find a spot on the grass, and enjoy the films that started it all! Presented by the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission. 7:00pm - Free Admission. | |
| 18 | 2nd Annual MARC Arts & Crafts
Supplies Swap and Flea Market Moab Arts and Recreation Center (100 North 111 East) - 8:00 a.m. to Noon |
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| 22-25 | Desert Rocks - Four days and four nights of music, camping, and outdoor adventure in the majestic red rock canyon of Kane Creek, 8 miles West of Moab. The festival will include an eclectic mix of funk, rock, reggae, folk, and bluegrass music playing through sunrise. Headliners include The Derek Trucks Band, Hot Buttered Rum, Eric Mcfaddin Trio w/ Bernie Worrell of Parliament, Lebo (from ALO), The Motet, Blue Turtle Seduction, Joseph Israel, Stonefed, Wisebird, Ten Mile Tide, and many more! Dirstar Army will be presenting a Mountain Boarding competition, and Team Utah Frisbee Golf will have a frisbee golf course set up! For more info check out www.desertrocks.org. | |
| 24-25 | Annual Moab Arts Festival - Swanny City Park (400 North 100 West) - For more information visit www.moabartsfestival.org | |
| 26 | Memorial Day | |
| June | 2008 | |
| 5-7 | Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo - Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Highway 191) - Includes bull riders, barrel races, team roping, individual roping, saddle bronc, bare back, mutton bustin', clowns, and more. Vendors welcome! Fee. | |
| 6 | Barriers to Entry - Photographs by Brian Parkin. Artist's reception 7-9pm June 6th, show runs through July. Moab Art Works, 35 North Main Street. For more information call (435) 259-3010 or visit www.moabartworks.com. | |
| 14 | 24 Hour
Portfolio One day workshop designed to push the envelopes of your creative vision through an intense experience in hands-on field work while exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Fee charged and advanced registration required. For more information visit www.bretedge.com. |
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| 20-22 | Victory Freedom Motorcycle Rally 2008 - Ride through the red rocks of the high desert along the Colorado River, climb to over 8000 feet in the La Sal Mountains, visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and even hike back along the dinosaur tracks. For more information visit www.polarisevents.com/rally/index.asp. | |
| 28-29 | Moab Antique Mart - A variety of antique and collectible dealers from across the southwest displaying their wares, plus great food, an appraiser, and drawings for antiques and collectibles. Swanny Park (400 North 100 West). For more information visit www.moabantiquemart.com | |
| July | 2008 | |
| 4 | Independence Day | |
| 24 | Pioneer Day (Utah State Holiday) | |
| August | 2008 | |
| 30 | Annual Labor Day Red
Rock 4 Wheelers Campout |
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| September | 2008 | |
| 8/28 - 9/13 |
Moab Music Festival Music from around the world amidst the spectacular red rock canyonlands of Moab, Utah. Each year musicians and music lovers alike, from across the country and around the world, travel to the Moab Music Festival to perform and to listen to musical masterpieces, old and new, set among some of nature's most spectacular landscape masterpieces... the red rock canyonlands. For more information visit www.moabmusicfest.org or call 435-259-7003. |
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| 1 | Labor Day | |
| 4-6 | LAGBRAU Legacy Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Utah. For more information visit www.lagbrau.com, call 801-554-1144 or email lestitus@lagbrau.com. |
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| 19-21 | Moab Century Tour The Moab Century Tour encompasses an inspiring variety of landscape to awaken the cycling spirit. From the depths of the red rock canyons of Moab, riders begin to glimpse at the towering mountains above. This spectacular route rises from the sculptured canyons of the mighty Colorado River up into the La Sal Mountains, and then descends back into the canyons leaving you speechlessly in awe of the grand scale of this magical place. Channel the energy of riding through this grandeur of Moab’s canyon country by putting purpose behind your cycling. By focusing proceeds of the Tour with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, each participant becomes a powerful force against cancer. For more information contact 435-259-2698 or visit www.skinnytireevents.com. |
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| 24-27 | AdventureXstream Series - Moab Adventure
Race For more information visit www.gravityplay.com or call 970-259-7771. |
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| 25-28 | Skydive Moab Festival - Skydivers from all across the world will be jumping from 3 - 20+ passenger airplanes and free falling for over 1 minute above Moab's most amazing landscape. Come see over 300+ skydivers jump and make over 3000 jumps in just 4 days. They'll reach speeds well over 150 mph. For more info visit www.skydivemoab.com, send an email to info@skydivemoab.com, or call 800-UGO-JUMP - 435-259-JUMP. | |
| October | 2008 | |
| 6-12 | NAXJA 25th Anniversary Celebration of the XJ - NAXJA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the XJ (Cherokee) first being built. Organized trail rides will be run the entire week, with a dinner and raffle on Friday night (including a raffle of the 2008 Giveaway XJ). The event headquarters during the week will be at Slickrock Campground. For more information, please visit www.naxja.org. | |
| 11-12 | Annual 24 Hours of Moab Mountain
Bike Race Annual Team Relay-Style Mountain Bike Race held in the Behind the Rocks Area - An extremely popular 24 hour mountain bike race set in a spectacular red rock desert. Sections of this course follow an old jeep trail while others contain some wild downhill segments. The course contains 1,100 feet of climb per lap and some challenging sandy sections. For more information visit www.grannygear.com or call 304-259-5533. |
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| 15-19 | Confluence: A Celebration of Readers
and Writers Writing workshops, field components, public addresses, public forums, a "Moab Reads" program, writing contests and community art shows. The 2008 Confluence will look at the influence and works of Edward Abbey with a faculty comprised of Abbey's colleagues, friends, academic critics and other writers. For more information visit www.moabconfluence.org. |
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| 19 | The Other Half The Other Half is a 13.1 mile running event that begins at Dewey Bridge on Highway 128 and winds through some of the most stunning scenery in the country to its finish at the Sorrel River Ranch. For more information call 435-259-4525 or visit www.moabhalfmarathon.org. |
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| 24-26 | Annual Jeep Jamboree Moab - A family-oriented four-wheel-drive adventure catering to every level of expertise - from novice to veteran. Jeep Jamborees are strictly for Jeep 4x4s. For more information visit www.jeepjamboreeusa.com. Note: This small event is not associated with the giant Moab Easter Jeep Safari in March. | |
| 24-26 | 3rd Annual Chile Pepper Ho Down Bike
Festival For information visit www.chilebikes.com/news.html or call 435-259-4688. |
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| 25 | Annual Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival The whole family will enjoy watching sling-shots, catapults, trebuchets, and air-cannons launching pumpkins across the sky. For additional information visit www.youthgardenproject.org or call 435-259-2326. |
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| 31 | Halloween | |
| November | 2008 | |
| 2-5 | Annual Moab Folk Music Festival An exciting gathering of accomplished artists from the national, regional and local contemporary folk music community. The Moab Folk Music Festival brings some of the finest singer/songwriter musicians in the country. For additional information visit www.moabfolkfestival.com or call 435-260-2488. |
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| 7-9 | Moab Canyons Endurance Ride - Horse endurance rides or 25 and 50 miles. Spectacular rides through dramatic canyons to ridges with incredible views of wind sculpted crevasses deep below. | |
| 11 | Veteran's Day | |
| 21 | MARC’s 2nd Annual Mystery Dinner Theatre and Quick Draw Art Auction - Moab Arts and Recreation Center (100 North 111 East). For more information email marc@moabcity.org or call (435) 259-6272. | |
| 27 | Thanksgiving | |
| December | 2008 | |
| 5 | Christmas Tree Lighting County Courthouse (125 E Center) @ 5:30pm |
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| TBA | Electric Light Parade Kick off the holiday season with Moab's annual Electric Light Parade. Year after year this spectacular display of lighted floats and holiday costumes grows and attracts more and more spectators. The entire family will enjoy this amazing collection of lighted floats as they travel along Main Street in downtown Moab. For more information call 435-259-7814. |
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| 5-6 | Christmas Gift Fair Grand Center - 182 N 500 W - 435-259-8553 |
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| 6 | Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair Moab Arts and Recreation Center (100 North 111 East) - 10am - 5pm |
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| 6 | Winter Sun 10K Run - The Annual Winter Sun 10k road race is a fun filled small town run that takes place in early December when the air in Moab is crisp and the skies are blue and sunny. For more information visit www.moabhalfmarathon.org or call 435-259-4525. | |
| 25 | Christmas |
Free Event Listing - If you have a Moab area event that you would like to add to this list, send an e-mail to info@discovermoab.com or call Robert Riberia at the Moab Area Travel Council at (800) 635-6622 or (435) 259-6281.
Event Grants - The Moab Area Travel Council will provide grant assistance to organizations to aid in the development of tourism. The purpose of the grant is to increase the level of tourism in Grand County through new or fledgling events that could become annual events. For guidelines and an application, visit www.grandcountyutah.net/travel.htm.
Note: TBA = To Be Announced